New Monsters Inc ride system patent...Shanghai only?

[bethymouse]

Here we go again! DHS is such a hot topic! We all WANT to love it, but it just isn't what Disney fans expect I guess. I watched the Destination Channel last night. They had a segment on from 2002 where the Sorcerer's Hat was being put up as the park " needed something". I think it's there to stay. New rides? New Land? Total makeover? I hope so. But when? I am not a patent expert, so I'm not sure if any door coaster, dark ride, or any ride for that matter is coming- including Carsland! Still, a wait and see GAME! Remember Walt always kept things "secret" when building/buying land. I guess that "tradition" continues.

 

[Jones14]

That pole-in-the-middle-of-the-ride-vehicle thing would be perfect for this kind of darkride

Ouch, you're saying that at WDW they're cheaper than our poor, debt filled parisian resort? *_*"

Q

I'll bring my own hammer if they need people to build this.

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

Actually I am not a "source", I don't have access to any inside information that isn't available to the public.

Ok then, at the very least I'll call you an insider. You seem to be very knowledgeable on the permit/patent filings and construction projects that take place at WDW. You and @ edwartc are. Plus, I like the posts you generally make esp. the one you made in Mr.Spirit's thread about giving MagicBands to people who refuse to wear em (btw, when you type your account name into the google search engine, you get all the posts/info you make pop up on the first page. So in a sense, it's kinda made available to the public).

 

[Buck]

Here we go again! DHS is such a hot topic! We all WANT to love it, but it just isn't what Disney fans expect I guess. I watched the Destination Channel last night. They had a segment on from 2002 where the Sorcerer's Hat was being put up as the park " needed something". I think it's there to stay. New rides? New Land? Total makeover? I hope so. But when? I am not a patent expert, so I'm not sure if any door coaster, dark ride, or any ride for that matter is coming- including Carsland! Still, a wait and see GAME! Remember Walt always kept things "secret" when building/buying land. I guess that "tradition" continues.

I think you really hit one something by saying that "we all WANT to love it". Personally, DHS is my favorite park. I DO love it. Even still, I'm able to see how much better it could be. I'm rooting for some major additions even though I adore the park in its current state.

 

[AllyInWonderland]

Did anybody else watch that creepy Chinese It's a Small World video? I'm scarred for life!!!

 

[bigeternity]

Let's hope they greenlight this soon for DHS and not wait for Shanghai.

 

[Ignohippo]

Not that I know of. Until they want Rat and won't pay for LPS....

For the life of me, I'll never understand the desire to bring this to the States. It's a perfect fit for DLP, but I've never seen Rattattouille as one of Pixar's more popular franchises. From a merchandising perspective, there's little to none.

If TDO were to finally loosen up their wallet and buid something new, the last thing I would hope they would do is spend $150 mil on a Rattattouille dark ride.

I love the flick, but something based on MI, The Incredibles, Wall-E, etc. would be a million times more popular.

 

[Ignohippo]

Looking at the insane lines for Toy Story Mania, this is exactly the type of ride that Hollywood Studios needs. Something without height restrictions that the whole family can enjoy, instead of a coaster that only some can ride.

Sadly, I agree completely. I would add though that DHS needs more for ALL ages, but yes, especially kids. Hopefully, it would be part of a bigger expansion that would include some other rides with thrills as well.

Heck, anything that could bring the wait times down at TSMM would be very welcomed.

 

[Prototype82]

Looking at the insane lines for Toy Story Mania, this is exactly the type of ride that Hollywood Studios needs. Something without height restrictions that the whole family can enjoy, instead of a coaster that only some can ride.

As much as I agree with this, this is the sole reason Universal gets to push the envelope with things like Transformers, Forbidden Journey, and the upcoming Gringotts ride. Meanwhile, we get clamshell omnimovers...

(for the record, I love Little Mermaid and rode it 3 times because it was spectacular. Just making a point...)

 

[doctornick]

As much as I agree with this, this is the sole reason Universal gets to push the envelope with things like Transformers, Forbidden Journey, and the upcoming Gringotts ride. Meanwhile, we get clamshell omnimovers...

(for the record, I love Little Mermaid and rode it 3 times because it was spectacular. Just making a point...)

I don't think anyone is suggesting that TOD shouldn't build height restricted rides at all, but DHS in particular is lacking in rides that the whole family can enjoy. There needs to be a better balance in that park. Realistically, TDO needs to be building rides that push the envelop and ones that all more inclusive.

 

[danlb_2000]

If it were for Pixar Place at DHS, wouldn't be a bad thing. I agree with others that the park needs family style rides accessible to all heights/ages, so it would be a plus. Off hand it looks pretty interesting with cars crossing each other -- basically like the DCA Monsters Inc ride meets MK's Mr. Toad. I'd prefer the door coaster, but this wouldn't be bad depending on what else comes to DHS (RSR, for one, and if they also go the trackless LPS Ratatouille, I could deal with them "skimping" on the Monsters Inc. attraction). This could be build relatively quickly, I would think, which would be good to add an attraction since they'd have to shut down LMA/Backlot for construction.

Two questions, though:

1. Why would they need a pole to the ceiling and one on the ground? I'm no engineer, but I would think just one on the ground could function fine even with the crossing points

2. How do you get to the loading area? I guess you have to go up or down stairs to get their, which means they have to do some sort of elevator as well.

Finally found a copy of the patent.

http://www.google.com/patents/US201...cXWGOjf0QHq9ICICA&sqi=2&pjf=1&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw

The reason for the pole going through the ceiling is that the system has two Omnimover tracks, one below the floor and one over the celling which allows one track to cross another. There really wouldn't be any other way to have omnimover tracks intersect each other.

 

[Hedwig's Keeper]

Finally found a copy of the patent.

http://www.google.com/patents/US201...cXWGOjf0QHq9ICICA&sqi=2&pjf=1&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw

The reason for the pole going through the ceiling is that the system has two Omnimover tracks, one below the floor and one over the celling which allows one track to cross another. There really wouldn't be any other way to have omnimover tracks intersect each other.

Thanks for patent link. It's very interesting. I'm curious what the source is for this being used for Monsters Inc. Patents are legal protections so they are always as broad as the applicant can make them. And this patent app does a good job of saying this could be used for just about anything that can house an omnimover type ride. And from what I'm reading, it seems Disney could use this for a lot of rides/park/etc. There is actually a specific mention of haunted houses. I guess we'll find out...

 

[dhall]

Saw that, even found the patent. Not sure why they think its for Shanghai. It could easily be for any park.

(puts on armchair imagineer cap)

Y'know what would be really cool? Combine this with the patent you found for the spinning omnimover, and put it in the UK pavilion at Epcot, themed to the Carousel in Mary Poppins -- you'd go around the circle once or twice, then the horses would leave the circle and take an omnimover circuit before rejoining the carousel (or forming another one) for load/unload

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Edit: What is with these thread bumps recently? I didn't realize I was replying to such an old thread, then only to see that @|Q| already had the same idea. This is the third thread bump today that I've responded to a fairly old message (and the only one that I didn't delete in time)

 

[George]

As much as I agree with this, this is the sole reason Universal gets to push the envelope with things like Transformers, Forbidden Journey, and the upcoming Gringotts ride. Meanwhile, we get clamshell omnimovers...

(for the record, I love Little Mermaid and rode it 3 times because it was spectacular. Just making a point...)

Disney used to be able to come up with really innovative family friendly attractions. I think they could if they just put their minds to it, added a little love, and decided to bake a wondrous Pixar Place cake full of awe and inspiration. :lookaroun

 

[danlb_2000]

(puts on armchair imagineer cap)

Y'know what would be really cool? Combine this with the patent you found for the spinning omnimover, and put it in the UK pavilion at Epcot, themed to the Carousel in Mary Poppins -- you'd go around the circle once or twice, then the horses would leave the circle and take an omnimover circuit before rejoining the carousel (or forming another one) for load/unload

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Edit: What is with these thread bumps recently? I didn't realize I was replying to such an old thread, then only to see that @|Q| already had the same idea. This is the third thread bump today that I've responded to a fairly old message (and the only one that I didn't delete in time)

I bumped it because I found new information on the original topic. No one had provided a link to the actual patent in the thread, so I posted it. Besides this thread was only a month old, we have had much large bumps recently.